Thank you, all, for reading and reviewing. On a roll (don't know how long it will last!) so making the most of it. Aramis' outburst was, perhaps, a little unfair - but he was understandably worried.
So, has he had time to calm down?
CHAPTER 60
Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan found the area designated by Richelieu as the place for the mustering of loyal nobles and they quickly set about finding the most desirable site for setting up their camp, finally selecting a spot at the foot of a gently sloping hillside. They needed time to see those approaching to gauge intent and hopefully identify the colours to establish whether they were friend or foe. They were about a league south-east from the hunting lodge and knew that Gaston's force was camped in different locations a similar distance north-west of Versailles. The unknown factor was the military experience of the potential foe and whether they would bother sending scouts out this far south and at this time. They would know when the hunting party was due, but they would also be looking out for the arrival of their own reinforcements promised by the disgruntled nobles.
The three friends had to be prepared to face any eventuality. The base of the hill opened out into a vast expanse of flat ground with easy access to a stream beyond; definitely suitable for a massed encampment, but its current emptiness rendered the Musketeers vulnerable so they opted to pitch their tent close to the edge of a small copse. If necessary, they could retreat within the trees for cover.
Porthos and d'Artagnan were occupied erecting the two-man tent; it was sufficient for their needs as the third would be on watch. Aramis had disappeared into the trees to find wood to build their campfire.
"Is he still mad at us?" d'Artagnan asked eventually, for he had been left deeply disturbed by Aramis' uncharacteristic outburst.
"Probably a little," Porthos conceded, "but more with 'imself." He knelt to push the bedrolls through the open flap of the tent.
"How so?" d'Artagnan was puzzled. Sitting, he started to pass Porthos more of their limited belongings.
"You've been around us long enough now to know that Aramis is a bit …. complex."
D'Artagnan gave a little groan. "And here was I thinking Athos was bad enough."
Porthos responded with a deep, throaty chuckle as he shifted his position to sit on the grass. "Oh, I reckon I'll be dead and buried long before I get the chance to figure him out." He grew serious. "No, you have to learn 'ow to read Aramis, when to leave 'im alone with 'is thoughts - like now - an' when to stick by 'im, whether he wants it or not."
"That sounds complicated," d'Artagnan frowned.
"Not when you get to know 'im an' understand why he acts as he does. You see, 'e was soldiering before me an' Athos; he's experienced more than we 'ave, some bad things." His voice dropped and he gazed ahead as if at some far distant memory. "'E was headin' to be a priest, you know, but 'e loves too many other things like life itself, women an' fightin'. Not the killlin', not that, but 'e knows it's part of the job an' so he makes sure he's good at it. He can't stop lovin' 'is God too and that sets 'im at odds with 'imself at times. He also loves us, me an' Athos; we're brothers together an' now you're one of us too."
D'Artagnan flushed delightedly at the expression of acceptance. It was something for which he yearned but had never expected this acknowledgement so soon in his relationship with the Inseparables – if at all.
"So when one of us gets hurt, he sort of takes it personally; thinks 'e's failed in protectin' us."
"But what happened to Athos wasn't Aramis' fault! There was nothing he could have done to prevent it. He saved Athos' life once we'd found him."
"You an' I both know that, an I believe 'e does too, deep down, but it doesn't make it any easier for 'im," and he paused to take in the surrounding countryside, "especially when we got sent 'ere. He was torn between 'is duty to the Captain an' his personal duty in lookin' after Athos."
"I keep thinking about what Aramis said, about how Athos looked when we said our farewells," d'Artagnan admitted. He glanced at Porthos. "How could you and I have missed that he was struggling and should not have left the infirmary?"
Porthos broke eye contact and shuffled uncomfortably. "Well …," he began and stopped, unsure how to proceed.
D'Artagnan stared at him and his mouth dropped open as realisation hit him. "Oh no! How could I have been so stupid? I was the only one not to see it."
"You saw what you wanted to see … an' what Athos wanted you to see. 'E needed us all to think 'e was better than 'e really was. You weren't to know. Ol' Athos an' Aramis often lock horns because he's always playin' down when he's hurt; says it's a scratch when it's anythin' but!"
"But why was Aramis so angry with you?"
"He 'ad a go at me because 'e knew I could take it an' because 'e had to let it out somehow. I should have known it was comin' as 'e'd been quiet for so long."
A noise from the trees drew their attention. Aramis stood there, his arms full of small branches for the fire. They were not to know how long he had been there nor how much of their conversation he had overheard.
Crossing to where they sat, he dropped the wood in a pile, took a deep breath and studied the hill's crest, his hands on his hips. They waited quietly until he sighed heavily and looked down at them.
"I owe you both an apology," he announced.
Porthos attempted to ease his brother's tension with a grin. "Been listenin' to us?"
Aramis shrugged sheepishly. "Not deliberately, but I had already been thinking about the error of my ways. I fully understand why Athos decided to be such a fool. I cannot condone what he did and pray that he has not done himself additional harm, but I must trust Tréville and Carveau to tend him. Again, I am sorry. My outburst was uncalled for." He crouched before them, a hand placed over his heart submissively.
"You're forgiven," Porthos declared without hesitation and clapped him hard on the shoulder, deliberately overbalancing him so that he collapsed in a heap.
There was a shocked silence as the three looked at each other and then there was a simultaneous burst of laughter from them all.
All was right between them once more.